<<

The Team: World Cup History: Have won the title four times, in 1934, 1938, 1982, and the last tournament in 2006 First round schedule: Paraguay (June 14, 2:30 pm), New Zealand (June 20, 10 am), Slovakia (June 24, 10 am) The Fan: Luke Melchiorre, 27 Occupation: PHD Student at U of T Favourite player: Antonio Di Natale, the Italian number 10. I have loved him since he played for lowly Empoli. Italian legend Gigi Riva recently compared him to , this is definintely a stretch, althoutgh he was the leading scorer in this year with 29 goals. His work rate is high, he is a wizard with the ball at his feet, and he is one of the best volleyers I have ever seen. He could be one of the stars of the tournament if things go right for Italy. How far do you think your team will go in the tournament?:Unfortunately, I do not not have high hopes for this World Cup. For one, I think Italy's group, which many have called the Group of Life (as opposed to the very tough Group of Death), has been vastly underrated. While I do not think this team will be the first Italian squad to be eliminated in the group stages since the 1974 world cup in Germany, don't be surprised if they trip up against Paraguay in the first game. As for beyond the group stages, I think Italy's journey to elimination will be painfully brief. I see them going out in the round of 16, just like the defending Italian champions did against France in Mexico City in 1986. As with the 1986 team, the harsh reality is that the national team is currently between cycles. That being said, teams will underestimate the Italians at their own peril. What's the key to your team's success this year?: While I do think that the notion that the Italian national team is always negative and overly defensive is an often overstated by our rivals and antiquated at this point, I don't think there is any denying that in the post-war era when Italy has been successful at major tournaments, their defence have always been rock solid. There is no question that for them to do well in South Africa, defensive young guns as well as veterans will have to be pitch perfect. In my view, this is unlikely, as the old guard (particularly the captain ), are just too slow. Where will you be watching the games?: My father's condo. Any pre-game rituals?: Not really. Nice lunch at half-time usually and a cappuccino. Which team is your most hated rival and why?: Probably France. I have too much respect for Brazil, Germany and even Argentina to consider them hated. The Portuguese team and their Toronto fans are annoying, but again, nothing in their world cup history makes me take them seriously as a true World Cup rival. For me, France fits the bill. We have suffered recent heartbreaking losses to them, their coach Raymond Domenach has repeatedly attacked the Italian game and its players, and the Zidane thing really kicked it all into overdrive in 2006. The victories over them in the 2006 final and at Euro 2008 were sweet, but I can comfortably say I still hate their team and hope that they have an awful World Cup. Photo by Jonathan Loek Tweet Tweet,nfl jerseys

Below could possibly be the official NFL injury credit report as reported on the basis of the league; please note that it can change throughout the a multi functional daily basis as the idea credit profile may be the up to the minute as relating to September 11:

(OUT -Definitely will by no means play; DNP -Did hardly practice; LIMITED -Limited participation everywhere over the practice; FULL -Full participation upon practice):

SUNDAY

Cowboys at Buccaneers COWBOYS: DNP: CB Michael Hamlin (wrist), LB Curtis Johnson (hamstring),football jerseys cheap, LB Jason Williams (ankle). BUCCANEERS: DNP: CB E. J. Biggers shoulder TE John Gilmore (ankle), LB Adam Hayward (ankle). FULL:WR Antonio Bryant lower - leg,WR Michael Clayton (hamstring).

Broncos at Bengals BRONCOS: Practice Not Complete. BEN-GALS: OUT: CB David Jones to toe T Andre Smith to toe LIMITED: G Scott Kooistra lower - leg S Roy Williams thigh FULL: QB (ankle).

Lions at Saints LIONS: DNP: QB Drew Stanton lower - leg LIMITED: CB Phillip Buchanon shoulder blades K Jason Hanson completely lower leg DE Jason Hunter ribs DT Grady Jackson lower - leg,WR Dennis Northcutt (hand),womens football jerseys, G (ankle). FULL: TE Casey Fitzsimmons lower - leg CB Anthony Henry shoulder brace SAINTS: DNP: T Jammal Brown (hernia), TE Darnell Dinkins foot RB Pierre Thomas lower - leg FULL: S Usama Young shoulder

Jaguars at Colts JAGUARS: DNP: TE Zach Miller lower leg T Tra Thomas (back). COLTS: DNP: S Bob Sanders knee TE Tom Santi (ankle), CB Jamie Silva (abdomen).

Chiefs at Ravens CHIEFS: LIMITED: RB Jackie Battle a contamination QB lower leg CB Brandon Flowers shoulder brace RAVENS: DNP: TE L. J. Smith (hamstring). LIMITED: LB Brendon Ayanbadejo to toe LB knee DE lower - leg

Dolphins at Falcons DOLPHINS: FULL: CB lower - leg FALCONS: DNP: S William Moore (hamstring). LIMITED: DE John Abraham lower - leg FULL: DE Chauncey Davis foot LB Tony Gilbert (hamstring), C Todd McClure (calf),nike football jersey, RB Jerious Norwood knee

Vikings at Browns VIKINGS: DNP: LB Erin Henderson (calf). LIMITED:WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring), TE Jim Kleinsasser (hand). BROWNS: OUT: G Rex Hadnot lower - leg DNP: RB Cedric Peerman thigh LIMITED: LB David Bowens knee RB Jerome Harrison knee DT Shaun Rogers to toe CB Eric Wright lower leg FULL: LB Alex Hall shoulder TE Steve Heiden knee

Jets at Texans JETS: LIMITED: DE Mike Devito (hamstring). FULL: QB all the way shoulder RB Shonn Greene bones LB Bryan Thomas (ankle),nfl youth jersey,WR Wallace Wright knee TEXANS: DNP:WR Kevin Walter (hamstring), CB Eugene Wilson knee FULL: CB Jacques Reeves (fibula), DT Deljuan Robinson (calf), QB Matt Schaub (ankle).

Eagles at Panthers EAGLES: OUT: G to toe LB Joe Mays shoulder brace FULL:WR Kevin Curtis lower leg T elbow LB Moise Fokou shoulder DE Darren Howard (groin), T Winston Justice shoulder CB Dimitri Patterson (ankle), DT Mike Patterson (ankle),real nfl jerseys, RB Leonard Weaver knee LB Tracy White (rib). PANTHERS: LIMITED: S Chris Harris (shin).

49ers at Cardinals 49ERS: Practice Not Complete. CARDINALS: DNP:WR (hamstring). LIMITED:WR ribs WR Sean Morey ribs QB Brian St. Pierre (back). FULL: WR Steve Breaston knee S Matt Ware shoulder

Rams at Seahawks RAMS: DNP: S Craig Dahl (hamstring), LB Larry Grant knee T John Greco (hand). LIMITED: QB Marc Bulger entirely finger), RB Sam Gado steak RB Mike Karney (ankle),nike nfl jersey unveiling, DE Leonard Little lower - leg SEAHAWKS: OUT: T Walter Jones knee C Chris Spencer (quadricep). DNP:WR Deion Branch (hamstring),wholesale jerseys, CB Travis Fisher (hamstring),virginia tech football jersey, DE Derek Walker (hamstring), S C. J. Wallace (rib).

Redskins at Giants REDSKINS: LIMITED: CB Carlos Rogers (calf), T Mike Williams (ankle). GIANTS: DNP: CB Kevin Dockery (hamstring), T Adam Koets (ankle), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring), LB Clint Sintim (groin).

Bears at Packers BEARS: LIMITED: DT Israel Idonije (hamstring). FULL: CB Charles Tillman (back). PACKERS: DNP: CB Will Blackmon (quadricep),customize nfl jersey, RB Brandon Jackson (ankle), DT B. J. Raji (ankle). FULL: QB completely shoulder brace S Aaron Rouse (hamstring). MONDAY

Bills at Patriots BILLS: DNP: TE Derek Fine (hamstring), CB Drayton knee LIMITED: DT Spencer Johnson thigh wrap PATRIOTS: DNP: WR Matt Slater shoulder LIMITED: C Dan Connolly (back),WR Julian Edelman (ankle), RB Sammy Morris (finger), DT Myron Pryor (calf), CB Shawn Springs lower - leg,WR Wes Welker lower leg CB Terrence Wheatley knee FULL: QB all the way shoulder S Brett Lockett upper body TE Benjamin Watson (hamstring).

Chargers at Raiders CHARGERS: No discomfort for additional details on credit RAIDERS: No discomfort for additional details on credit reports. cheap jordans for sale cheap nhl jerseys wholesale jordans for cheap wholesale mlb jerseys Wholesale Jordan Shoes cheap jerseys jordans for cheap wholesale nfl jerseys cheap jordans shoes cheap nfl jerseys